It’s been nearly two months since Harry Styles released his second album, Fine Line, and I can definitely say that there are a plethora of things that I have been able to take away from his tracklist. From the emotion that seeps out of Falling to the fun spirit in Canyon Moon, I can’t even begin to describe all the sensitivity and the vulnerability that you can just taste when you dive into this album. From these last two months though, I’ve really learned a lot about Harry and what I think he would want us all to take away from Fine Line. Here’s the lessons that I learned from the album:
- It’s Socially Acceptable to CRY!!
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Or at least according to Harry, it should be. Harry has said to various media platforms that this album derived fromthe feelings of being sad and having sex. It was clear that this album would be full of emotion and vulnerable melodies that really convey the melancholy that Harry had throughout his songwriting process. Most notable in Falling and Fine Line, Harry demonstrates that his ability to feel emotion is so deep, and that it’s important to feel all of our emotions, including the bad ones. Not that I’m looking for excuses to cry, since I do it so often, but these two songs in particular project the value of feeling sad emotions.
- Gender is a CONSTRUCT!!!
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Not that this is a particularly new concept in our social awareness, but I think Harry does a really good job at eliminating the false binary that society gives to gender. For the longest time, gender has been the social construct perpetuated by the media, but more and more recently, gender has been accepted as everything BUT binary! No particular song conveys this message, but right off the bat, the album cover is a clear indication that gender means nothing more than a product of the norms we see in society. These are norms that we can change.
- Life is short! Be funky, be you!
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Harry Styles will definitely strike you as the non-traditional alternative/rock artist, and I think that means so much when you consider his role in what was and is still one of the most mainstream boy bands in history. His twingey vibe and his wild attitude really come out in songs like Sunflower Vol. 6 and Canyon Moon, and each song essentially highlights the necessity to be young and carefree. Harry Styles is the serious 70s lovechild that we do not deserve.
- Growth in Sadness is Still Growth
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Between the production of his first album and his second one, Harry has talked in detail about how he felt anxiety and pressure to “get it right.” In my opinion, Harry Styles can do no wrong, but, of course, there will always be haters. Harry specifically imparts a message that we should love and cherish our own creations regardless of anyone else’s opinion of it. This cliche may send you into a spiral, but, personally, I think his motive for this album was to show emotion, pain, joy, happiness, turbulent energy and many more deep emotions that only lyrics can describe. Most of the songs on this album generate a melancholic vibe that really shines a light on his growth from his first to his second album. It really emphasizes the message that you don’t need to be happy to experience personal mental and emotional growth.
- Treat People With Kindness :)))
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While some might argue that his song ‘Treat People With Kindness’ does not do his phrase justice, I feel that his message is displayed exactly how he envisioned it: festive, joyous and much like the classy 90s vibes that you get going into the song. It’s funky while maintaining a rock-jazz spirit, and I am nothing but prouder of this sensible, feminist king, for teaching us through music that: in a world where you can be anything, being kind should always be the first thing!
I know that this may be biased because I have nothing but respect and celebration for the gorgeous man that is Harry Styles, but I hope that whether you are a fan or not, these lessons stuck with you equally well as it did with me. Harry Styles is nothing short of a person who cares for others and values being empathetic to the highest degree. For or that, he should be protected at all costs. If you take anything away from this, please just always remember to do what Harry says best:Treat People With Kindness! :)